ellicat

Hope you don't mind me sharing a few pics as we seem to be on a good run of catch of monster cubera snappers down here in Panama. Here are the 3 biggest units so far. Our operation is popping and jigging exclusively. The biggest of the 3 came on a topwater stickbait, but, interestingly enough, 2nd and 3rd came on slow jigs. We lose more than we boat for sure with the SPJ outfits. Those are outstanding catch on any tackle but even more of a reward on the slow pitch !

We still have a couple of spaces open in late spring/early july, check out www.panafishing.com for more info !
 
 

You could go crabbing…
(note no pictures as the crabs forgot to stay in my pot 🤦‍♂️😂 ). 

After the Storm found a loophole with the suspension of Cheese, I changed my tip to Storm. I thought we just needed to shut down Solomona and Hughes and we were a good chance. It worked in the first half but not the second. 5 tries to 4 against the Storm wasn't too hard to take though.
We certainly have made it easier for their next competitors with injuries to Welch, Smith and Jennings out for fair stretches.

Oh how I chuckled when I read this. Tigers beating the storm....... Tigers 10 storm 4 at half time.... 
 

Haha. I might be going to get my first zero !

It truly is sad Brian, but what concerns me the most is Kat has gone and fabricated an elaborate story, and dragged her step dad into this to justify how her time has been spent during this period of less then favourable fishing conditions, Hahahaha, I’m just taking the pi$$ Kat, 
Fear not though, you are not alone, I haven’t resorted to wind chime manufacturing yet, but have been busted sitting in my tinny making boat noises, you see, these withdrawals effect everybody differently, sadly there is no community support group to help us either, I think we should just all keep an eye out for one another during this difficult time, Hahahaha 

Saved by the Dragons @ellicat. I had the misfortune to watch most of that game. It was like watching the 2020 Broncos play the 2021 Broncos. Both teams did their best to lose. 

Haha. I might be going to get my first zero !

I saw more and more fisho are becoming crabbie these days as you can get all kinds of creatures in the pot. A friend of mine got a thready one day and stopped fishing ever since. 😄😄

Hi Kat
Braid definitely lasts longer, as opposed to mono or fluorocarbon. Though if you want to use mono then I would use heavier line (ie 30 pound).
Cheers Hamish 

My better half has heaps hanging around everywhere,
we just use mono and get a fair work time out of them.
The ones hanging outside in almost direct sunlight last probably
3/4 years. Sun's pretty hot here in summer.
Never tried braid.
I reckon they sound good. Better than listening to the
voices in your head.

Ha ha.  Are you sure?  No I have definitely not been reduced to that!  My stepdad has built his own kiln and doing pottery among countless other things in his retirement.  One of those pottery items are wind chimes.  I think I will have to get you one - the one with fish hanging from it.  Yes they are annoying I agree.

Hi Dropbear, I mostly agreed with your comments, however I just got one from Freddy's and it's Okuma uts SABIKI rod which get quite a lot of flex( I am not sure if this is good or bad as I haven't tested it in water yet) . I guess you were referring to the rovex brand or others, but definitely not Okuma I bought. Cheers!

I am really regretting not doing proper research leading into the season like @ellicat ….. oh, hang on …. 😆

Gee, mine is not like that. It doesn't bend over like a light rod but certainly there is flex.

Gee, mine is not like that. It doesn't bend over like a light rod but certainly there is flex.

I have one and there are a stack of pros and cons
Pros:
They keep all the hooks safely out of harms way. This is very good. I find that with a normal rod the sinker bounces off and makes a tangled mess. Even if you secure the sinker well the little hooks go everywhere and catch on other rods and their lines and the guides... 
I have been hooked up a few times with the little hooks. They don't cause much harm and are easily removed with some plyers but its not nice. These rods keep them safe and tidy. 
Cons:
They suck to use. They are long stiff poles and have no flex which means there is a lot more leverage against you than a normal bendy rod. They feel awkward and yucky.... If you are fishing in deeper water and get a string full of slimys it can be really hard work. 
In balance if I am on a boat and thinking of using it a few times during the trip I wouldn't hesitate to use one. If I was going to one spot to catch the baits and could put the jigs away after this I would prefer to use a conventional rod. 

What rhymes with habit and tastes delicious? 

How do you fix a computer screen that has turned upside down?
Hang on!!! Drop Bear's at the top of the screen, I thought my screen was buggered.....😂
 
 
 
 

I have one and they are great !
You could probably use any old rod to do the same, but these rods keep those little hooks from catching everything they touch. You can get the rigs in different sizes so make sure you get some with small hooks for herring (I use #6). Any brand works so go the cheapies imo.

For all I know, they could be looking at it. I just pay the bill. lol

You'd think the service centre would mention it or
just service it as required if you went to the same place
all the time.

Fair warning to everyone that the games start this Thursday, so get your tips in. Team lists will be out Tuesday. Tigers will beat Storm...you saw it here first.

In my pursuit of knowledge in DIY boat, trailer, outboard maintenance I haven't come across what maintenance is required for hydraulic steering setups such as seastar or hydrive.
Have to admit I have never really thought of this hydraulic cylinder needing maintenance but here is a link i found:
Hydraulic Steering Maintenance (seastarsolutions.com)
Interesting note in the document: 
Most of us head for the transom to give the outboard or stern-drive a little attention. Now’s certainly a good time to change the engine oil, check the filters and take a look at the gear oil in the lower unit But few of us think to look a just a little bit forward and check out the hydraulic steering system. In fact, when asked, most boat owners said they had no idea there was anything they should do, or could do, 
to maintain their hydraulic systems.

Thanks Brian, I added a symbol but still no good. Seems to accept my details but when I then click on my preferred NRL team and click Next (or Submit or whatever the button is) it comes up with an error. Perhaps it doesn't like Broncos fans ....... 🤨.  I will try again tomorrow.